Liverpool storm in to the Champions League and open up 5 point title lead

Liverpool held their nerve to beat Norwich City 3-2 at Carrow Road and record an 11th straight league game win.

The reds become the first English side to guarantee qualification to next season's Champions League, at the group stages, and a guaranteed top three finish after winning at Norwich.

More than that Liverpool moved 5 points clear of 2nd placed Chelsea, and 9 points clear of 3rd placed Man City who have 2 games in hand.

Raheem Sterling scored two goals with a Luis Suarez sandwich filling, whilst Norwich scored twice to give Liverpool some jitters at either side of the second half.

Liverpool won through - making it 11 straight wins - the first time since 1982.

The result means that all eyes are now on Manchester City tomorrow.  If they fail to win, then Liverpool are in with a small chance of sealing the Premier League title next Sunday evening.

Brendan Rodgers had to reshuffle the pack for today's game - Henderson's suspension and Sturridge's injury forced changes.  Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva were the replacements - starting their first game together since Liverpool's last league defeat - the 29th December visit to Stamford Bridge.

The personnel change, but the spirit doesn't.

Within 11 minutes Liverpool were 2-0 up.

In the 4th minute Raheem Sterling hit a wonderful strike from 5 yards outside the penalty area, an unreachable shot for John Ruddy.  In the 11th minute, Sterling was involved again, but it was Luis Suarez who bagged his 30th goal of the season. 30 goals in 30 games.

Norwich then enjoyed a good 10 minute spell of possession but Joe Allen was involved in everything good about Liverpool - he was there with a block in the 6 yard box, he was in the middle breaking up play and he was even involved in the opposition half feeding the greedy appetites of Sterling and Suarez who searched for a third.

2-0 at halftime.  The LFC travelling support was revelling, but this job wasn't done yet.

Mignolet attempted to punch away a Norwich cross.  It was unnecessary.  Skrtel was under the ball and the reds keeper would have been better served staying where he was.  He was outjumped and Norwich latched on to the mistake to grab a goal back. 2-1.

» Brendan Rodgers Post Match Quotes

Nerves. They came in to play.

Liverpool fought on and a stray pass landed at the feet of Liverpool's talented 19 year old Sterling.  He ran 60 yards up the pitch, swerving two players on the way before firing a shot, which was deflected up and over John Ruddy to give Liverpool a 3-1 lead.

Rodgers was happy. Sterling was happy. We were happy.

There was to be another goal in the 77th minute when Snodgrass headed in to make it 3-2.  A moot point.  Snodgrass should have seen red for a challenge within the first 10 minutes on Joe Allen.

Nails were bitten. But the reds held on.

The pre-season target of Champions League qualification has been reached.  Much bigger prizes now lay full-square at Liverpool's door.

Hush.

Listen.

The echoes of a 24 year long wait for an English title reverberate around the Fields of Anfield Road.

Do you believe us now?

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